Perrysburg mayor balances personal, pro life

Economic development remains Olmstead's top priority

Mike Olmstead, mayor of Perrysburg, speaks during the Spafford House Museum ribbon-cutting ceremony in Perrysburg on Saturday. The mayor says he is excited to unveil economic development ideas.

When Perrysburg’s Mayor Mike Olmstead isn’‍t at a ribbon-cutting, public meeting, or running his Performance Over Pain clinic, he enjoys sailing.

“I’m a sailor, I love being on the water,” he said. “Sailing is family time.”

While he has been in races, he’‍s not a “racer” and enjoys Lake Erie with his three children. His day job is working full-time at Performance Over Pain, and part-time as mayor for the next four years.

“The key is balancing and I have a great staff both with the therapy staff and city staff. We have a good working relationship,” Mayor Olmstead said. “It is the ability to communicate too.”

Cindy Silvis, the office assistant who has worked with several Perrysburg mayors, said it has been a very smooth transition with Mayor Olmstead.

His four-year term began in January. The position pays $28,000 this year.

Six months into his term he’s happy about the progress that has been made with his goals.

The city also sent out a survey to 7,000 people looking to see what its “customers” think of the service. Results are being tallied, but Mayor Olmstead is eager to see how the public views city services.

“Economic development is still the administration’‍s top priority,” Mayor Olmstead said.

Costco’‍s 154,000-square-foot building was approved by city officials, and Mayor Olmstead is excited to unveil economic development ideas for downtown Perrysburg businesses. The administration is also working with the Ohio Department of Transportation to create a divergent diamond interchange on I-475 and State Rt. 25 off ramps to reduce traffic congestion.

Mayor Olmstead had some experience listening to residents’ concerns while he served on city council from 2005 to 2013, but it’‍s only heating up as mayor.

“Typically you receive the front line for complaints,” Mayor Olmstead said. “Even if we disagree though, they care and I respect that. My favorite part [of being mayor] is Perrysburg has a great community. Folks are actively engaged and want to make a difference in the community.”

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.